In this groundbreaking book, the authors dispute the concept of autism and explore the cultural and political reasons why the number of those diagnosed with it has increased over the years. This is a must-read for students studying autism and related disorders as well as practitioners working in the mental health services.

Challenging existing approaches to autism that limit, and sometimes damage, the individuals who attract and receive the label, this book questions the lazy prejudices and assumptions that can surround autism as a diagnosis in the 21st Century.Arguing that autism can only be understood through examining 'it' as a socially or culturally produced phenomenon, the authors offer a critique of the medical model that has produced a perpetually marginalising approach to autism, and explain ...

This bestseller provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy.

How teachers form and maintain classroom and staffroom relationships is crucial to the success of their work. A teacher who is able to accurately interpret the underlying relationship processes can learn to proactively, rather than reactively, influence the dynamics of any class. These are skills that can be taught. This invaluable text explains how adult attachment theory offers new ways to examine professional teaching relationships, classroom management and collegial harmony: equally im...

The fourth edition of the bestselling An Introduction to Family Therapy provides an overview of the core concepts informing family therapy and systemic practice, covering the development of this innovative field from the 1950s to the present day.

A growing body of research shows that social networks and identities have a profound impact on mental and physical health. With such mounting evidence of the importance of social relationships in protecting health, the challenge we face is explaining why this should be the case. What is it that social groups offer that appears to be just as beneficial as a daily dose of vitamin C or regular exercise?This edited book brings together the latest research on how group memberships, and ...

The Second Edition of this best selling textbook continues to offer a simple, systematic, step-by-step guide to doing applied psychology.Using the authors′ own PATH model, the text presents a new methodology for applying primarily social psychological theory to a wide range of social problems.With real-world case studies, end-of-chapter exercises and interviews with leading social psychologists, Applying Social Psychology guides students to define a problem, conduct a theor...

Introducing the basic principles of research theory and practice, this book is the ideal starter text for any counselling trainee or practitioner learning about the research process for the first time.Structured around common training topics, the book:- Explains why you need to do research at all: what it is, why it′s important and its historical and philosophical context- Guides you through the confusing mass of research literature- Covers the ins and outs ...

Now in an updated fifth edition, this book provides readers with overviews of all the key theories, concepts and terminology associated with mental health, summarising them succinctly in a series of easily digestible yet expertly written entries.Structured into four sections, the text starts with entries related to Mental Health and Mental Abnormality, before moving onto Mental Health Services and Society.The new edition offers:68 concise chapters including ne...

The***International Guide to Student Achievement*** brings together and critically examines the major influences shaping student achievement today. There are many, often competing, claims about how to enhance student achievement, raising the questions of "What works?" and "What works best?" World-renowned bestselling authors, John Hattie and Eric M. Anderman have invited an international group of scholars to write brief, empirically-supported articles that examine predictors of academic ac...

This book addresses the multifaceted nature of trauma by bringing together the many theoretical perspectives that explain how people cope with traumatic life experiences. Practitioners working across the people professions frequently find themselves working with service users, patients and clients who are survivors of trauma. Ranging between attachment, person-centred and anti-oppressive approaches, this text will help students and practitioners widen their approaches to such clients’ expe...

This Third Edition of Doing Research with Children is practical introduction to the process of designing, doing and writing up research with children and young people. At the centre is a commitment to engaging with children and young people as active research participants rather than as passive subjects. In the new edition, you′ll find up to date information on the fast-changing political and ethical debates around research with children and young people a...